As far as getting all-out harassed, or attacked, over clothes. Whoever said you can get that no matter what you wear, no matter how ugly or sexy the clothes are, is right. Hell, even middle eastern women who are literally covered head to toe still get raped, attacked, etc. It's not ONLY the clothes (though yes, clothes signify things historically for humans, mostly cuz we are mammals, as said); it is moreso the attitude of societies.
Men, or women, that want to harass, attack, rape someone will do so regardless of clothes. And attention is different than harassing/attacking, which is a great point.
Part of this imo, is the societal belief that women must police their bodies for the benefit of males. For example, a long time ago, my sister's school would not allow tank tops because it made it too hard for the boys to do well in school. While that might be a biological reality, we are humans with supposed higher thought. So instead of teaching the boys to just admire a girl, think she's pretty, etc BUT not be entitled, or mad cuz they can't have her body, or blame them for poor grades...we instead say how awful the girls are and ooh those poor boys. It doesn't teach the boys responsibility or restraint or control. And it is a fact that even if you are covered head to toe, hell even wore a tent, that anyone wanting to attack someone probably will. The clothes are the wrong issue. Obviously a factor, but I think the focus on clothing does a disservice.
I mean, I've worn tshirts with cartoons on em cuz I like em and I have noticed in life that older, creepy (pedophile-y vibe) men bee line to me. I can't handle it so don't wear what I like (and no it's not sexy, revealing stuff at all, literally kids stuff), because I do not want to deal with it. Sucks, but is reality. Shouldn't be that way, but is. I've taken to wearing the must ugly, baggy clothing and just wear what I like in my mind. I'm "ugly" by society's standards anyway. I actually like when my friends comment nicely on a shirt or etc, though I have zero interest in the dating game or finding a partner.
If some people like the attention or they feel good for looking sexy, cool, their choice. It's down to others to learn, understand that even if everyone walked around naked that you shouldn't be harassing anyone or attacking cuz you can't control your own urges or mind--that's your fault, not anyone else's clothes or body.
However, I've had even therapists say if I don't want to be harassed by any group of people over my body then wear something else. If I don't want pedophile-y creepy men saying creepy shit to me, then wear something else. Thing is, I've had this no matter what I've worn. It's similar to me about teaching girls to carry a key in your fist to feel safe. It's a false sense of security to think that if you are "ugly" or dress horribly that you are safe from attacks. You are not. Also diverts attention from the real issue is that societies never teach boys that that's ok they find a girl attractive but you have to control your urges etc ffs!
Umm, I'm pretty sure all those women in middle eastern countries would cry and rofl at the thought that covering up more protects you!
Obviously setting is factor: work vs a vacation type thing. But still. Since all this crap is a reality for now, I guess the only thing to do is either challenge it, en masse (and by education, to the boys as well), or do the whole "key in fist when going to carpark at night" false-sense-of-security thing, and keep avoiding the underlying issues.
The prettiest thing I've worn is a dress or skirt, and not mini short ones. Oddly though, I felt somewhat prettier (probably cuz we are socialized to learn and copy what is "sexy" "pretty" etc) so in my mind, the script was like, hey you are in these clothes that are "supposed" to be this way so that's how you should feel. However even though I could admire, say, a dress's beauty on a visual level, nice clothes do equal unsafe, to me. Same with make up. I've had both men and women tell me if you don't want sex, don't wear dresses, skirts, make up or jewelry, of any sort.
However, I've been in some scary situations where it was not the clothes (baggy, frumpy, not fashionable, etc), and didn't matter.
So I guess I dress to feel safe which has been more important to me than me feeling ok with myself looks-wise. I literally got rid of any and all clothes that could even be remotely considered "sexy" "pretty" etc. I'm not trans, though if people think that, I don't care. Still wear girls' clothes. However I've even had people say that just wearing pink is a sexual signifier. Much to my sadness cuz that's in my top 3 favorite colors. I honestly think wearing clothing that covers you head to toe would make me feel safe, and if it wasn't cultural appropiation and the ties to extremists, I probably might. However even I know it's a false sense of security.
Being upset for people purely looking at you is kinda over the top. Cuz you get looked at no matter what.
It depends on any given day what you are more worried about depending on your mood and where exactly you are going: your self-esteem as far as body image, or your perceived safety (not real life safety, note).
Umm even little kids get attacked ffs.
So any time men attack a girl or woman, the response is to say, oh those poor guys, can't help their biology, can't use their brains, control, willpower...we will just have to police the girls more. However that has NEVER worked, ever, in any society. The mindset as a whole has to change. I mean, maybe some do, but do women go around harassing and attacking and raping men cuz they had their shirts off and 6 pack abs flaunted?? But the men can't help themselves so they get a free pass to violence, harassment, entitlement, and policing women's bodies. It's crazy.
People say, well it's human nature, men's nature. Ok, but supposedly humans have higher thought and all that. The older I get, the more I think humans are even worse than animals, and nothing more than animals, and actually pretty shitty ones if you graded all animals. No other animal destroys the earth, knowing they are. No other animal purposely starts mass wars and violence just because they hate someone. Imagine if the squirrels were like, omg I just hate those crows and can't stand em just because so lets band together and kill all crows. Obviously animals fight over food, territory, even mates, but there are no mass murderer or rapist other animals for the pure purpose of trite shit like race, religion. Humans have way too much entitlement. And humans treat eachother worse than animals or anything else. Your biggest threat on earth is another human; think about it. I guess since humans are the top predators on earth maybe it's only natural that the top predators end up killing each other (of course viruses and illnesses play a part, but as far as another animal predator).
As much as humans claim to be the smartest, most enlightened, higher-brain/thought animals...I sincerely question this.
I say where what you want but just explore your own emotions and thoughts about it (your own, and maybe where you got them and if you actually want to have that mindset or not), and do what makes you feel comfortable or happy or safe, whatever that means to you.
It is interesting that some people find dressing sexy empowering. And some people find it is the opposite. I feel society expects to appear sexy all the time, though then mad when do. Some take that back and reclaim it. Some shun it. I don't think either is wrong. It is different ways of responding to the same underlying issues. To each their own.
Also, girls are taught at a young age that their beauty is their only worth, that being pretty is for fun (think of barbies, play make-up, dress up games, etc) but then you get older and that same stuff is now bad and it is not allowed to be fun or that you just like it. I think it's very confusing for girls, and by extension the boys.